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"The battle places of each party and the duties of each I will leave to be explained by your own captains. I have only a few words to say. This is not an action of war. There is to be no looting. The keep is the property of my son by marriage, and I will not have anything of his despoiled. Swift and painful punishment will fall upon the man who steals or damages more than necessary anything in the keep. For the same reason, quarter is to be offered to any man-at-arms who desires it and to the castle servants if they offer no resistance. In fact, any person who does not resist, among the common folk, is not to be harmed in any way. |
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"On the other hand, I am not unaware that eager service must be rewarded. It is my understanding that the castellan here has amassed a considerable personal fortune. This, of course, does not belong to Adam and may justly be distributed among you. No man will be permitted to seize it all, and I will see to its fair distribution, including my share, which will be reserved to increase the prizes of the twenty most daring and valorous men." |
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A cry of pleasure went up. Two men, or even more, depending upon fatalities, from each group would come away from this battle with gold and silver, perhaps enough to buy a wife or a farm, if that was their desire. Ian knew well what he was doing. Under his arrangement, no man needed to be first and best. No penalty would attach to helping a friend, nor would there be any profit in slyly harming a battle comrade who seemed to be stronger or more successful. More, in fact, could be gained from attaching oneself to such a comrade and trying to increase his success so that you might shine by reflected light. |
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"As to the castellan and his family, I leave that to your own judgment. If you desire to take him prisoner in hopes that ransom may be paid by someone, by all means do so. I have no particular lust to see him or his family dead. However, I will not pay nor lend him a mil |
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